Title: Tentationem

Characters: Father John "Dago Red" Mulcahy/Captain Jack Peterson (OC)

Rating: MA

Summary: The chaplain befriends the newest surgeon at the 4077th, but quickly finds himself at odds with his feelings when the unexpected occurs.

Author's Note: Based on the character portrayed by Rene Auberjonois from MASH (1970), the original film production. Captain Jack Peterson bears no resemblance to either Captain Jack Sparrow or Captain Jack Harkness, unfortunately. The title is Latin for "Temptation".

As always, please ignore any typos. I don't always catch them right away. Thanks for reading. –RW

The day shift was always long and tiring, but there was nothing worse than the anticipation of more wounded when it neared the 11th hour. When it neared 6 o'clock, Jack always found himself straining to listen for choppers. Choppers at sunset, he'd once been told, meant heavy casualties and a longer shift.

When he'd been drafted, he'd been neither excited nor upset. Rather instead, he'd been very indifferent about the whole ordeal. It was inconvenient, of course, but it was experience that could help him later in his career. Jack really didn't care much about the war itself. War, he thought, was pointless but inevitable. So long as people disagreed about rights or freedom or religion or whatever, there would be conflict, and where there was conflict, there was eventually war.

Mulling over his thoughts on war and peace, Jack worked on his shift notes and got ready to turn the patients over to Hawkeye, who would be coming on duty that night. He smiled to himself as he thought back to the encounter at breakfast and the harassment the other doctor had given to the priest. Dago had confided in Hawkeye the events that had led up to their…unique friendship…and while the priest was certain that the doctor wouldn't betray them, he had obviously underestimated the amount of teasing he would get from Pierce.

As if on cue, Hawkeye sauntered into the post-op ward, whistling a dandy tune as he looked at various charts hanging off the ends of the cots. Jack quietly observed him as he finished his notes. He wasn't quite sure what to think of Pierce just yet. He'd always been friendly to Jack, included him in poker games or drinking binges at the Swamp, but Jack knew that Hawkeye had a mean streak. He hadn't seen it yet himself—for which he was surprised—but he hadn't let his guard down yet. He wouldn't so much call Hawkeye a friend, but knew that it was the closest term he had for now.

"How they goin', Hoosierkin?" Hawkeye called in his usual greeting from halfway down the ward, breaking Jack out of his thoughts.

"Alright, Hawkeye; you?"

"Finestkind." The doctor came over to the small desk where Jack was seated and perched himself on the edge, grinning down at Jack. "Suppose you'll be off to see Dago now, eh?"

"We typically eat together, yes." Jack replied, giving nothing away.

Hawkeye looked amused as he crossed his arms. "You are aware that I know what happened, right?"

"I am." Jack nodded, not looking up from the clipboard.

"And you know that eventually I will wear you or Dago down for details."

Jack did look up now. "Why are you so interested in what we may or may not being doing?"

Hawkeye shrugged, grinning. "Hard not to be with something like this."

"We haven't done anything, Hawkeye."

"So sayeth your lips, but the guilt on Dago's face begs to differ." Hawkeye wagged a finger in the air. "Don't get me wrong; I'm a firm believer in the fact that we should all be free to get a piece over here. I don't discriminate between priests, blacks, Jews and fairies. I'm just surprised that you would try to make the chaplain your conquest. And more so that he would let you. I thought that sort of stuff was off-limits for his kind."

"He's not my conquest," Jack defended. "I sincerely like John. He's sweet and he's smart and I enjoy being around him. If our relationship naturally progresses to something more physical, I'm certainly not going to complain, but John knows that he's in control of what happens. I'll never push him to do anything he doesn't want, or thinks he can't do because of his beliefs. Frankly, though, whatever we do, or don't do, isn't anyone else's business."

Hawkeye snorted a laugh, "Naturally progresses? Is that what you call it when you kiss someone who neither wants nor is expecting it?"

Jack blushed furiously. "That was a heat-of-the-moment thing."

Hawkeye was grinning maddeningly at Jack, obviously waiting for more.

Jack stood and pushed the clipboard into Hawkeye's hand. "Have a good night, Dr. Pierce."

Hawkeye laughed and clapped Jack on the shoulder as the other doctor made to leave.

Temptation…

Dago drummed the end of his pen against the desk as he stared at his still incomplete sermon. He'd defined temptation, given reference to passages in the Bible that spoke of how temptation was of the devil and that a faithful man should avoid temptation, but he still couldn't figure out how to avoid it. Prayer, despite everything he'd ever been taught, was simply not enough. So what was the answer?

Before Dago could think further, there was a knock on his door and his lips lifted into a smile as he set his pen down and stood up, pushing the door open and smiling at Jack.

"Say, I seem to be lost," Jack said with a slight smirk. "Think you might point me in the right direction?"

"Depends on where you're headed." Dago played along, crossing his arms and leaning against the door frame.

"Well, I'm trying to find Park Avenue, but I seem to just be going in circles."

Dago laughed. "I hate to tell you, but the nearest Park Avenue is probably thousands of miles from here."

"Oh," Jack said forlornly. "Well, I guess this place will have to do. Mind if I come in?"

Dago motioned the man inside, and gestured for him to have a seat.

"Hawkeye's insatiable, isn't he?" Jack asked without preamble as he sat on the priest's cot.

"How so?"

"He hounded me again to tell him what we've been up to."

"I should never have said anything to him," Dago sighed, settling himself back down in his chair.

"Don't worry about it. You needed someone to talk to."

"Yes; it's just a shame it had to be him."

Jack laughed softly, then noticed the still unfinished sermon on the priest's desk. "Still haven't found an ending to that yet?"

Dago looked at the paper and sighed again. "No. I'm almost ready to give up and call the bishop for some advice on the matter."

Jack's eyebrows shot up in surprise and Dago quickly amended his statement.

"Just in general. Nothing specific. Though, to be quite honest, I'm not sure what he could tell me beyond prayer."

"You'd think for something as serious as temptation, the Bible would spell out how to avoid it."

"That would defeat the purpose of God giving us free will. We're not meant to know everything there is. The Bible is a set of guidelines to live by. Yes, there are very clear things like the 10 Commandments, but for the most part we have been given a moral code to live by and it is up to us to determine how to live Godly lives accordingly."

"I'm not sure you need to call that Bishop just yet," Jack said gently. "That sounded like pretty good advice right there."

"Maybe," Dago said thoughtfully. "I just wish I could offer them more than a 'figure it out on your own' answer."

"Maybe that's the point. If you give them all the answers, then you're defeating the purpose."

"Hmm…" the chaplain scratched his chin. "I hadn't considered that."

"See, no reason to call up the bishop." Jack teased.

Dago chortled, picking up his pen and scribbling down several thoughts before they were gone again, then sighed softly as he looked back at Jack. "Can I ask you a serious question?"

"Of course." Jack replied.

"What…are we?"

Jack wrinkled his brow in confusion. "Sorry?"

"Well, we're not…lovers…are we? I mean…you don't love me, do you?" The chaplain's face was pink and Jack couldn't help but smile.

"I don't think I've known you long enough to say I'm in love with you. I like you, I like being around you, I like the conversations we have, I like touching you and kissing you. And I think you're good looking. Those are all good indicators of attraction, but love isn't a prerequisite. I would say that we're good friends. Friends…with benefits."

The chaplain's blush deepened. "Friends with benefits… I suppose that's acceptable."

"What would you say if I did love you?"

"I don't know." Dago said honestly. "I'm sure I'd be flattered, but…I'm not sure I would be able to reciprocate the feeling. I like you, of course; much the same way you like me, but to love you in that way…"

Jack could interpret the tone in which the priest spoke. A love such as that would be unspeakable and unforgiveable. And yet, the priest would allow himself to be kissed and touched and held by another man. That was a conundrum, and Jack said as much.

"Don't think I don't know that," John said softly. "This has been utterly confusing. There are layers upon layers of wrongdoing in this; I know that better than anyone."

"And yet you don't stop it." Jack said. "You're tempted; but exactly what is tempting you, John?"

The priest's mouth opened and closed as he tried to formulate a response. What was he tempted by? Dago had known there was temptation there, but he hadn't really considered what was tempting him. If it wasn't love he was feeling, what was it? He felt more and more befuddled as time passed by.

"Maybe you should think about that for a while," Jack said gently, reaching out and touching Dago's knee. "What good is talking about temptation if you have no idea what it is you're tempted by?"

"You're right." The priest said, abashed.

Jack gave Dago's knee a gentle squeeze at seeing the other man's shame. "You don't have to feel embarrassed, John. I just don't want you to get all out of sorts over something you have no clear understanding of. Besides…maybe that's part of the reason you can't get beyond the temptation…you don't really know what it is."

"Yes…I suppose you're right about that too." Dago admitted. "I thought it was the intimacy I was tempted by, and perhaps it is, but the thought of love or sex is…it's simply too much."

"I told you, intimacy isn't exclusive to love and sex."

"If it was, that would make this a whole lot easier."

Jack laughed and slapped Dago's knee. "Come on; I'm hungry and I don't want to eat alone."

That night, Dago lay in his bunk with Jack's question rolling around in his brain. What was he tempted by? He had been able to rule out love and sex completely. He felt affections for Jack that extended beyond friendship, but it wasn't love. Not that kind of love, anyways. Had Hawkeye been right along? Was the temptation merely due to the desire to be close to someone? To be kissed and touched? He seriously considered this.

Just as Dago felt on the brink of an epiphany there was a swift knock on his door seconds before it flew open. "Sorry, Father; Hawkeye needs you in the OR."

Dago's brow furrowed as he sat up in his bunk and reached for his trousers. "The OR? Have more wounded come in?"

"Just one," the young orderly said. "Came in about half an hour ago."

The chaplain had been so engrossed in his thoughts that he must not have heard the jeep roll into camp, but he didn't argue as he hurriedly dressed and laced his boots, grabbing his stole and holy oil before he followed the orderly to the OR. He cast a sidelong glance towards the Swamp—the lights were out, indicating that the inhabitants were asleep.

"What time is it?"

"I dunno. 2, 2:30?"

He'd been deeper in thought that he'd realized.

Dago wrapped a mask around his ears and pushed through the OR door. "You sent for me, Hawkeye?"

"You bet your Roman collar I did, babe." Hawkeye said, up to his elbows in blood. "I'm doing the best I can, but this is going south real quick. I need one of your fixes, quick."

Dago anointed the wounded solider and began to pray over him solemnly. As he finished, he glanced down the length of the table, noting that the boy looked like ground meat from the waist down. "What happened to him?"

"Stepped on a goddamn landmine." Hawkeye answered as he furiously worked to put the boy back together. "Christ…I can't save the legs. Either of them. Kid's missing a foot on one leg and half his femur is just gone on the other leg. Like the damn thing didn't just shatter, but exploded."

Dago grimaced at the thought. "Can you save him?"

"Maybe."

A 'maybe' from Hawkeye was never a good prognosis and Dago redoubled his efforts in praying for both the boy and the surgeon.

When the surgery was over, the boy was listed as critical, but stable and Dago released a breath he'd been holding as he looked at the worry lines wrinkling Hawkeye's brow. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah…" Hawkeye said somewhat moodily as he peeled off his soiled gown and gloves. "This shit never gets easier."

"It shouldn't," Dago said after a moment's consideration. "No one should ever be desensitized to the horrors of war."

"You're right. But I'm going to go a step further and say that no one should have to suffer through the horrors of war."

"Yes…I agree."

Hawkeye headed into the washroom to clean up and Dago followed him, taking advantage of the fact that they were alone.

"Can I talk to you about something, Hawkeye?"

"Sure, babe; what's up?"

"It's about…Jack. About what you and I talked about the other day."

"Refresh my memory; what specifically?"

"About what I…liked…and why."

"Oh, that. Guess I was wrong, eh?" Hawkeye said as he grinned at Dago.

"No…well…maybe…well…I don't know." The priest finally sighed. "I think maybe you're half right; that maybe I just want those things because they feel nice. But the 'who' means something to me, too. And that's where I just feel so lost."

Hawkeye finished washing his hands and sat down on one of the benches as he regarded the priest. "Are you in love with him, Dago?"

"No. I've already drawn the conclusion that this isn't about love or sex. I feel something and I desire some intimacy with him. Just not that kind of intimacy."

"What's wrong with sex?"

"Please don't make me go down the list." Dago replied incredulously.

Hawkeye guffawed. "Okay, I know what you think is wrong with that, but look at it this way: what is intimacy? How do you define it?"

"Well," Dago considered the question as he sat down next to Hawkeye. "I suppose intimacy—to me—is any relationship where there is a deep emotional, and physical, connection."

"Do you think it has to be physical?" Hawkeye posed. "For instance, would you say you and I are intimately acquainted?"

Dago looked at Hawkeye, feeling on the verge of another epiphany.

Hawkeye laughed quietly, seeing the proverbial light click on in Dago's head. "You're welcome."

Dago blushed and laughed softly as well. "Thanks, Hawkeye."

"Don't mention it," the surgeon said, patting the chaplain's knee. "But I have a question for you now."

"What's that?"

"You don't love him, but does he love you? He seems quite fond of you."

"No, he doesn't love me. Or at least he said he didn't know me well enough yet to be in love with me. I asked him earlier what exactly we are to each other since I'm having such a hard time reconciling this, and he said that we're 'friends with benefits.'"

Hawkeye erupted into laughter, practically falling over on the bench. The priest looked at him hotly, confused by what he found so humorous. Hawkeye used the priest's arm to pull himself back upright, still laughing. "Oh, I'm sorry, babe. I don't mean to laugh, but well… it's you, Dago. For you to be mixed up in something like this…"

The chaplain blushed furiously, "Trust me…I know what you mean."

"Well, listen. Whatever you feel or don't feel, at least you both are on the same page and no one will get hurt, theoretically speaking. If one of you falls in love, well…that's another story. But it sounds like you both just enjoy each other's company and you're both a little lonely, and what's better than filling that loneliness with a little…you know…fun."

"'Fun' within reason." Dago corrected.

Hawkeye shrugged and patted Dago on the knee again. "I have to get back to post-op. You gonna be alright?"

"Yeah…" Dago nodded. "I think you've helped see a little clearer."

Hawkeye winked. "Finestkind."

The chaplain didn't sleep at all that night, instead working out all the thoughts and revelations his conversation with Hawkeye had brought about. He understood now what the temptation was, and understanding it brought the answers he'd been seeking.

As he sat outside his tent, watching the sun rise over the hills, bringing light to the new day, Dago considered his options and evaluated them carefully.

Radar appeared just outside the door of Henry's office and trumpeted the sounds of Reveille, bringing about a chorus of groans as other personnel were roused from their slumber. Dago couldn't help but laugh. His eyes automatically flicked towards the Swamp, and he could see slight movement from Jack's cot through the mosquito netting, but Duke and Trapper seemed unperturbed.

Pushing out of his chair, Dago crossed the small distance to the Swamp and quietly opened the door, slipping in just as Jack was sitting up and putting on his glasses. The blonde man smiled sleepily up at the priest.

"Up at 5:30 again?"

"Actually, I haven't slept yet." Dago said quietly. "There was a wounded soldier who came in quite early this morning and I stayed with Hawkeye while he operated."

"Everything okay?"

"For the moment." Dago answered, then cast a glance back at Duke and Trapper. "Listen, when you're awake and dressed, come over to my tent. There's something I want to talk to you about."

"Sure. Give me a few minutes; I'll be right over."

Dago smiled and left the tent, returning to his own to wait.

Jack pushed his glasses up, rubbing sleep out of his eyes as he yawned and tried to wake himself up. Though he usually showered first thing in the morning, he was curious what the chaplain was on about, and quickly dressed and combed his hair before he headed out.

Knocking once just to signal his arrival, Jack let himself in and found Dago laying in his cot, hands folded on his stomach, staring up at the ceiling. The priest's eyes shifted to Jack before a smile crossed his face and Dago sat up pointing to the desk chair. "Make yourself comfortable."

"You look quite pleased with yourself," Jack noted as he sat. "Is that just the sleep deprivation talking?"

Dago laughed slightly but shook his head. "I've spent much of the night is serious contemplation about my relationship to you and the temptation I feel."

"And you've reached a solution?"

"Of sorts, yes. More just a greater understanding of my feelings."

Jack leaned forward, intrigued and eager to hear what the priest had to say.

"I feel I must warn you that I, again, had to bounce my thoughts off of Hawkeye, so if he harasses you again, it truly is my fault."

Laughing, Jack waved him off. "He hasn't gotten under my skin yet. Don't worry about it. Tell me what's on your mind, John."

"There are several issues that have all coalesced into one and it's been difficult to separate everything out. Last night I was able to separate them in my mind and now I have a better understanding." Dago paused and ticked the first issue off of his finger. "Predominately is the issue of temptation. I realize now that I couldn't fight the temptation because I wasn't entirely sure what the temptation was. Now I see that what I'm lured by isn't sexual desire, or even the physical manifestations of attraction. What I'm tempted by is intimacy. That's the second issue."

Jack watched him tick his middle finger to keep track of his points.

"I didn't really understand, or maybe I just didn't realize, that there are different levels of intimacy. It can be an emotional bond, or a physical bond if the feelings are deep enough. For me, our relationship is a deep intellectual intimacy. We have the same interests and you engage me in conversations that no one else cares to talk about. Intelligence, to me, is alluring. It's attractive. And it's what has drawn me to you. You're witty and bright and you see me as a person first and a priest second. That means a great deal to me."

Jack continued to listen, absorbing every word.

"However, I don't feel sexual desire for you insomuch as I don't wish to have sex with you. I can admit that I do find you physically attractive and I greatly enjoy your touch and the feel of your kiss to the point that I have become…aroused, but I think what I feel is more just a generalized longing for your presence and closeness. Hawkeye told me that I like the physical intimacy simply because it is a pleasant sensation, and while I will agree with that, I think that I desire it from you because of the intimacy that exists in our relationship. As Hawkeye said last night, what better way to fill the loneliness than with a little 'fun.'"

Jack couldn't help but snort in laughter. "Why doesn't that surprise me."

The chaplain smiled and offered a tiny shrug.

"So," Jack drawled, trying to fit all the pieces together. "The temptation you've been struggling with wasn't about being with me physically; it was just about being around me in general?"

"I believe so yes." Dago nodded. "It wasn't until you kissed me that the physical aspects became a problem. I realized that, before that moment, the desire to be near you was always there. The temptation to seek you out, to spend time with you, to put off doing things that needed to be done just for a few minutes of stimulating conversation. It was that kiss, though, that sparked everything else and made me aware of how strongly I felt for you, and it made me want to kiss you and be kissed by you."

"Because it felt good."

"Yes."

"So if I'd never kissed you?"

"Things wouldn't be much different." Dago offered with another shrug. "There just wouldn't be the physical side of it."

Jack considered everything the priest had just said. "So what happens now?"

Dago had thought long and hard about this since reaching his epiphany, but he still took a moment to seriously consider the question. "I have reconciled my feelings and actions with my faith and beliefs. I understand the temptation and know that avoiding it doesn't mean avoiding you…it means delaying my gratification until my duties are done."

"And the physical part of it?" Jack asked quietly.

"While I may be splitting hairs with this, I feel that I have broken no commandments or vows." Dago's face was turning red. "It may not be appropriate, but I don't think I have a problem pursuing the physical aspects of intimacy…so long as they don't get out of hand. I'm okay with having a little…fun."

Jack smiled broadly. "And, if you change your mind, you know where to go."

A wicked grin crept onto the priest's blushing face as he jested, "To Hawkeye?"

The two men dissolved into laughter, and Dago felt lighter than he had in some time.

When they both settled back down, Jack noticed the flush in John's cheeks hadn't faded and he felt that stir of desire inside of him. He got up from the chair and moved to sit directly beside the priest, not hesitating to take his hand. "So…can I kiss you right now?"

"You don't have to ask." Dago replied shyly, feeling his heart flutter at Jack's proximity.

The doctor turned slightly to face John, smiling softly. "I'm glad you decided you're okay with this."

"Me too." Dago returned the smile.

"Just so you know…you can still say 'stop' any time." Jack whispered as he slowly closed the distance between them.

"Good to know." John whispered back just before their lips connected in a slow, sweet embrace.

FIN

Author's End Note: So there you have it. Probably not one of the best fics, but still a bit of fun. And there are never enough fics about Dago. I absolutely love writing the banter between Dago and Hawkeye, and the unique relationship that I've given them in several stories. I hope you enjoy it too and that you're not too disappointed that I always use Rene Auberjonois and Donald Sutherland as my Dago and Hawkeye inspirations.

Now comes some interaction with all of you... Tell me what you'd like to see written next. It can be a story about something from a previous fic, it can be something completely new, it can be something that someone else came up with that you'd like to see me write, it can be Dago and Hawkeye, or an OC, or another MASH character. It can be het or slash or simply a general fic... Whatever you want, I'll will accept the challenge and get it written. And, if you prefer me to base the characterization on William Christopher and Alan Alda, I'll be more than happy to.

Thanks for reading and commenting. I always love to see your feedback.

Respectfully,

RW